Holiday parties: The Ugly Sweater Party

Thursday

Dec 9, 2010 at 12:01 AMDec 9, 2010 at 5:19 PM

The dress code requires a ridiculous holiday outfit. Partygoers descend upon thrift stores and outlet malls looking for the perfect sweater vest depicting a 3D account of the "12 Days of Christmas." Pair your look with mom jeans for the ultimate effect.

The dress code requires a ridiculous holiday outfit. Partygoers descend upon thrift stores and outlet malls looking for the perfect sweater vest depicting a 3D account of the "12 Days of Christmas." Pair your look with mom jeans for the ultimate effect.

Doing favors:

The beauty of these parties is just how ugly they get. When having this good of a time is reliant on the visuals, help your guests remember by getting some cheap disposable cameras to hand out when they walk in the door.

Free entertainment:

The holiday ale will likely be the highlight of much of this night, but have copies of classic tales such as "The Night Before Christmas" or "A Christmas Carol" ready for a deliciously intoxicated narrator to get his or her hands on.

Where to shop:

Like most groundbreaking ideas, the plan for Nate Strine and Austin Sullivan's holiday e-business started over a few beers and a discussion of a recent disappointment.

"A couple friends of mine were talking about how we got invited to ugly sweater parties and had a hard time finding ones we liked," Strine said. "When you did find one you liked, it, of course, is not in your size."

The pair launched uglysweatershoppe.com in October to take the frustration out of finding an ugly item that will work.

The site sells vests, sweaters, ties, suspenders, socks and more ugly stuff priced between $5 and $25. The fastest selling item so far has been a sweater that twinkled with lights.

Music must-play:

"Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer," by Dr. Elmo

"Cool Jerk," by The Capitols

Give a shot to the guest who can name which "Home Alone 2" character sings the latter in the shower.